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Businesses today have a lot on their plates, so many look to technology to help improve efficiency and productivity while reducing overall expenditures. As this become more important, a growing number of organizations are realizing the benefits of implementing a unified communications platform. UC suites offer a variety of features such as instant messaging, voice-over-IP calling and Web conferencing, all of which enable modern enterprises to collaborate and communicate better.

While UC is gaining momentum in the enterprise, there are still some obstacles keeping businesses from adopting the technology. A recent study by IDC found that the most common barrier is the lack of a dedicated on-premises team with the knowledge and training necessary to maximize UC's benefits. Luckily for companies struggling with this problem, there are now service providers offering Unified Communications-as-a-Service.

Along with the difficult task of finding and maintaining a dedicated UC team, implementing a UC strategy can be complex without the appropriate expertise. Instead of struggling through UC adoption alone, businesses are now turning to UCaaS providers to host their systems for them and provide the guidance and skill sets necessary to create a successful deployment.

"There's a growing preference for cloud-based services, particularly in mid-to-large enterprises, and UCaaS is riding that demand," noted Bill Haskins, Wainhouse Research senior analyst and partner. "Putting unified communications in the cloud makes great economic sense: the infrastructure is there, the support mechanisms are in the place, the training program is ready. Plus, fewer IT and purchasing resources are required to manage it."

Simplify Communications By Moving To The Cloud

As an increasing number of enterprises start to realize the benefits of employing a UCaaS solution, the market for such services is growing at a dramatic pace. According to a 2014 report by market research firm Wainhouse Research, the global UCaaS market is projected to rise to more than $5 billion over the next three years, increasing at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 25 percent.

By delivering tools through the cloud, features are not only accessible at all times from any location, but they are also easily updated and maintained remotely by the service provider. Using the cloud also allows businesses to reduce infrastructure costs and overheads while still increasing productivity and effectiveness. UCaaS also makes it easier to expand connectivity to new offices, whether locally or overseas. Deploying a business communication system from the ground up can be difficult, as it requires not just new software and installation but precision planning and skilled implementation. With a UCaaS solution, a third-party provider can oversee the deployment and ensure everything is running smoothly.